Shamanic Wisdom in the Pyramid Texts

4.11 - 1251 ratings - Source

A radical reinterpretation of the Pyramid Texts as shamanic mystical wisdom rather than funerary rituals ac Reveals the mystical nature of Egyptian civilization denied by orthodox Egyptologists ac Examines the similarity between the pharaohas afterlife voyage and shamanic journeying ac Shows shamanism to be the foundation of the Egyptian mystical tradition To the Greek philosophers and other peoples of the ancient world, Egypt was regarded as the home of a profound mystical wisdom. While there are many today who still share that view, the consensus of most Egyptologists is that no evidence exists that Egypt possessed any mystical tradition whatsoever. Jeremy Naydleras radical reinterpretation of the Pyramid Texts--the earliest body of religious literature to have survived from ancient Egypt--places these documents into the ritual context in which they belong. Until now, the Pyramid Texts have been viewed primarily as royal funerary texts that were used in the liturgy of the dead pharaoh or to aid him in his afterlife journey. This emphasis on funerary interpretation has served only to externalize what were actually experiences of the living, not the dead, king. In order to understand the character and significance of the extreme psychological states the pharaoh experienced--states often involving perilous encounters with alternate realities--we need to approach them as spiritual and religious phenomena that reveal the extraordinary possibilities of human consciousness. It is the shamanic spiritual tradition, argues Naydler, that is the undercurrent of the Pyramid Texts and that holds the key to understanding both the true nature of these experiences and the basis of ancient Egyptian mysticism.Itissignificant that themainevents ofthe Sed festival, alongwith other royal
ceremonies, were presided over bythe ... ofHorus worship intheDelta).22 Thatthe
spirits ofNekhen are mentioned only here is aclear indication astotheceremonial
role ofanbsp;...

Title

:

Shamanic Wisdom in the Pyramid Texts

Author

:

Jeremy Naydler

Publisher

:

Inner Traditions / Bear & Co - 2004-12-09

ISBN-13

:

You must register with us as either a Registered User before you can Download this Book. You'll be greeted by a simple sign-up page.

Once you have finished the sign-up process, you will be redirected to your download Book page.